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Developers:Java vs C++?

Hey everybody
I've been thinking about taking a computer programming class this semester to help start my knowledge in developing apps for android. My question, is which language tool would be the most helpful and why? Java, or C++? Right now, the college I am thinking about taking it through only has Java as an option (I want to take it online). I'm at the point in my college career where I need to decide a major because I have all of my general ed's out of the way, and I think taking a cheap class that might benefit me in multiple ways might be a good thing to do. Thanks in advance!

I'm new to programming but I do know a little bit I guess...someone may have a better answer. As I understand it, Java is based off C++ and based off of C. So there won't be much of a difference between the two, but either you will need to know some amount of C/C++ for the Java course, or they will teach you enough C/C++ for you to understand Java. I don't know how important it is to know all of the basics though, since the common languages today have much easier ways of coding basic things.
If it were my choice, I would have to decide if I wanted to learn the basics of coding, and then learn all the shortcuts that today's SDK's provide, or just learn everything current, and have a harder time understand how some things work.
Ironically, I've been learning Objective-C, despite owning only Android since the G1 first came out. It's my first programming language ever (although I do have background in HTML/CSS and what not, but that doesn't really count). I've got a good grasp on how everything works, but I never had quite the understanding of how everything worked until I started learning more about basic C. It may be the same for Java, in fact I imagine it is to some degree.
My opinion, take C/C++, and just learn a new syntax later.

Thanks for the reply! I will plan on taking C/C++, but that brings my to my next question: C or C++? I'm assuming C++ is just advanced C, so it would make sense to take C first, correct? Or am I missing something?

I guess you kind of answered my question in your post already . Looks like basic C should be the way to go for starters!

If your ultimate goal is to use C++ and/or Java, I wouldn't recommend learning C first. Java and C++ are object oriented languages, and C is not. If the first language you learn is C then it will simply teach you an approach that you'll have to 'unlearn' when you start on one of the other languages. A long time ago, C was often taught as a stepping stone to C++, but these days it is regarded as a bad idea that makes it harder to learn an OO language later.
I also don't see any benefit in learning C++ before Java, unless you really want to learn C++ for its own sake. Java is probably easier to learn than C++ so, if your real goal is to be a Java programmer, I'd start with Java.
Please don't get the impression that I've got anything against C or C++ by the way. I've used all the languages mentioned (as well as C#) and, if anything, prefer to use C++.

so whats the advantage of becoming C++ programmer over Java Programmer and vise versa ?
how about Visual basic?

arvinghost said:
so whats the advantage of becoming C++ programmer over Java Programmer and vise versa ?
how about Visual basic?
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The platforms that are used by each. Java is a very versatile language, and is used in almost all mobile platforms. C++ is mainly used for desktop and stand-alone applications.
Truthfully, it doesn't matter which you learn first. The concepts and theories are the same in both, the only thing you have to re-learn is the syntax and specifics.
That being said, don't learn visual basic first, it is vastly different from the other two.

arvinghost said:
so whats the advantage of becoming C++ programmer over Java Programmer and vise versa ?
how about Visual basic?
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I'm sure that Google will provide lots of info on Java vs C++ comparisons, so I'll only mention a couple of things! C++ can be more powerful and versatile, but is easier to screw up. It also provides better performance (since it is a compiled language) but, these days, the speed of the code is often less important than the speed of data access or comms. Both languages are theoretically cross platform, but in practice Java achieves that better than C++ (usually). Java has a better set of standard libraries - in C++ the libraries for things like user interfaces are usually platform-specific. On the other hand, C++ (and C#) gives you access to Microsoft's Visual Studio IDE and the .NET libraries, which are still by far the best IMHO although, clearly, are pretty much restricted to Windows development.
In more pragmatic terms, I've found both languages to be in more or less the same demand by employers. There's a lot of old legacy C++ code out there, however, so I'd say that, as a Java programmer, you've a better chance of working on nice new projects rather than maintaining ancient software! To be honest, I don't know which way I'd go if I was starting out now - sorry
Oh, and I can't think of a single reason to learn Visual Basic - it's totally different to everything else, not as powerful, and not much easier to learn than the vastly superior C# or Java.

Yea, gcogger has better answers than I do Hope I helped at all. Thanks gcogger

Honestly I prefer straight C for a lot of things because it has the most strict code. It is so strict that code in and of itself is easier to follow. C++ being a superset of C is nice, and of course it adds OOP functionality. I just think C++ can get a bit too confusing sometimes, and I am always learning about new ways to do things that I never knew before.
Java is quite the opposite with syntax and garbage collection (which I am generally not a fan of outside of scripting languages). It is easier to use OOP in Java than C++ sometimes you forget about performance that way. You start initialising objects left and right, forgetting about their overhead and faster, more creative ways to do things.

Best Programming Language to learn for beginners?

Alright before you all have a go on him, I know this isn't the right place to post neither this website but I am active in this site so don't want to create account on another site just to ask this question. I am student and n00b in terms of Programming. I am thinking of joining extra classes in summer vacation. Of course I want to become software engineer. I want to know which will be best language for me to start. C, C++ or dot net? Visual basic looks easy to use but not sure if it has much value in future. I am confused so thought I may get help from these experienced developers. I am in the last year of High School btw.
I am n00b so don't go hard on me If I said anything stupid

friend863 said:
Alright before you all have a go on him, I know this isn't the right place to post neither this website but I am active in this site so don't want to create account on another site just to ask this question. I am student and n00b in terms of Programming. I am thinking of joining extra classes in summer vacation. Of course I want to become software engineer. I want to know which will be best language for me to start. C, C++ or dot net? Visual basic looks easy to use but not sure if it has much value in future. I am confused so thought I may get help from these experienced developers. I am in the last year of High School btw.
I am n00b so don't go hard on me If I said anything stupid
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Click to collapse
Studying C/C++ will be kick start in programming. For future scope, studying Java is good, because Java has its own different fields like Standalone application, web application, and Android of course.
If you're opting for .NET, be sure you're learning the latest version, as .NET versions change from time to time.
And also there are several modern languages like Python, Ruby, Perl etc. Don't know much about its scope.
But everything just emerged from C or Java. So first making a base is what it matters.
EDIT: Don't study Visual Basic as a separate Course, if its included in .NET then its fine. As VB is somewhat a dead technology, most companies are not using it. Studying Silverlight with .NET would be a good choice though.

The best language for me and easy to learn is python programming even noob can create thier own project or apps. bcoz it is embedable in all apps u can understand even if u r n0t a programmer..

Actually any programming language is good to get to know programming in general and to exercise your brain to think/work this way.. oncve you advance a little bit, you will also have the knowledge to know which language to go specific on..

because of my studies, I started with assembler and C, C++, Java, C#.
it depends on what you want to do.
you want to program Android application, use Java, Windows Phone use C#...

i neglected programming on my studies.. i was too lazy. but now i want to be a developer somehow..
so Java for Android applications?
so how about Developing a Rom/Kernel?

Python will be easiest and once you know how to program in one language all others will be much easier to learn.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA

Thanks guys, looking forward to it.

The first programing language I used was C.

I've started with C++. But You should try .NET at the beggining. It's so simple. Almost drag&drop method. I used it to create a lot of code generators for my game and other projects.
You should also try AutoIt. Maybe quite harder, but still useable.

I would say, start either with Java or Python.
Why? No specific reason, but they are easy to learn and have a wide area where they can be used later.

I would start with ActionScript 3.0 and/or Java. The first one is the easiest and most fun to program in

If anyone is interested in applications for Android, you should try App Inventor.
http://www.appinventor.mit.edu/

You should try python, becase as others say, it's pretty easy, and if you want to be more motivated, try udacity.com. This is university that operate entirely online. You can view lectures, do quizes, there are also final exams. They start 101 Computer Science (where you learn basics) at 16 april. And guess what, they use python! Even on harder classes.

I wouldn't encourage starting with C or C++. Java and C# are a bit higher level languages and thererfore help you get started faster and let you consentrate on the things that matter most. I would prefer C# over Java as Java has gotten a bit messy in some places, has some gaps in it's standard library, and lacks in standard user interface tools.
Another option to C# would be JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, but the compiler in C# can help you by pointing out mistakes that JavaScript tools can not. Also, if you go this route, don't try to make your code run well on many browsers as that will only cause extra headiche while you are trying to learn the basics. Actually, if you want to use JavaScript over C#, Windows 8 WinRT programming could be a good place to look at. However, it's still in development and lacks in documentation and learning materials when compared to more mature technologies.

If u want work in buisness then go Java. But its very expensive to use because it needs large resources. If u want go for new language try Scala.

JAVA and C++ are the most widely used languages ​​in the world of work today.
But if you want to do web, starts with PHP. It's fairly simple to understand and you can quickly get to Object Oriented concepts, and use simple Design Patterns.

[Q] Which programming language to learn?

Hello,
I want to start learning to program for windows phone so i bought a book on C# and started to read. Now I am hearing about how wp8 will be using native code. Does that mean that wp8 will be using C++ or should i still be able to program using C#? I am not very knowledgeable in programming as I just started reading so im not too familiar with the lingo.

I'd stick to c# for the beginning as you can nerly do everything with it and it's way easier to get started.
No need to fight against native code. You can still do that when the time comes as c++ is similar to c#.

[Q] - Java for non-Beginners

I decided to start learning Java. I know C++ and C#, so I don't want to start from scratch. The purpose I want to start Java is that I want to develop apps for android and maybe for Linux and Windows. Can you give me an advice about what to do.

daniil1410 said:
I decided to start learning Java. I know C++ and C#, so I don't want to start from scratch. The purpose I want to start Java is that I want to develop apps for android and maybe for Linux and Windows. Can you give me an advice about what to do.
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Belongs in the Q/A section, but I'll answer anyways. How experienced are you? When you say "I know" have you read a book, taken a class, used it for years, what? I know C++, Ada, C, Python, and a little Perl from working with them in a professional environment, and as such I understand stuff like objects, procedures, logic structures, variables and the little quirks that go with them. Because of my background knowledge I'd just grab Eclipse, create a project and look up the syntax using Google. Are you at a point where all you need is the syntax? Because if so I'd just say Google.

[Q] A New Developer

Hi Guys I Want To Star Coding Base On Android Developing Machines And i Just Want To Ask Is It better To Start With C Or C++ Or C# Or Java?? plz help me know how to start. Thanks All

C, C++ and java are programming languages while c# and JavaScript are scripting languages used for algorithms and webpages and aren't much different from their parent languages. Most of the time both programming language and scripting language are used parallely.
Java is a powerful language but it can be little bit tough to learn for newcomers. Since most android apps are written in java and JavaScript, you could learn it first.
Or you could try the much easier c++ road to see if it fits for you and to learn the basic concepts in programming. Since Java is based on c++ there isn't much difference.
And there is always room for improvement so you could try to become a linguistic programmer.
Personally asking I first tried to learn java first but I didn't understand a thing so I started to learn c++ and then dived into the world of java. It helps to learn the basics concepts of programming in a much easier language.